Oklahoma City brass remains confident in relationship with Astros

KISSIMMEE, Fla. — The day after owner Jim Crane said the Astros could relocate its Class AAA franchise to The Woodlands, Oklahoma City Redhawks president/general manager Michael Byrnes characterized the relationship between sides as strong but acknowledged the Astros are exploring their options.

“If we were all sitting around the same table, we would be hearing the message that the Astros are really happy in Oklahoma City right now,” Byrnes said Friday. “They’re going to continue to explore opportunities to make sure they put themselves in the best position. But if something were to not shake out with the opportunity that they’re looking at, I think they want to continue to stay in Oklahoma City and we want to continue to be partners with them. That’s just kind of the reality of it.”

Byrnes stressed that if the Astros choose to move their Class AAA franchise to a new location, Oklahoma City will continue to operate a minor league team.

Crane on Thursday said the Astros have a positive relationship with the Redhawks but acknowledged that he wants to move the organization’s top-level minor league team closer to Houston to improve everything from revenue streams to branding within Texas.

“We’re in (Oklahoma) City, which is a good spot and we’re doing fine there,” Crane said. “But if we can improve that as that contract expires in a couple years, we are all over those opportunities.”

Multiple hurdles remain for the Astros to change Class AAA franchises and/or relocate. Bruce Tough, chairman of The Woodlands Township, on Thursday said the area is “thrilled” to receive strong consideration by the Astros. But a stadium would have to be built; the Astros’ contract with Oklahoma City runs through 2014.

“If there’s dominoes to shake out down the line — if they’re looking to explore something that’s going to impact their business — from my position, I can understand why they would want to evaluate that,” Byrnes said. “But there’s so many elements that go into making one of those types of transactions occur; I know there’s a lot of moving pieces. I’m sure Mr. Crane has many of them in motion in an effort to get those to work out in his favor.”